Quick closure and connecting arrangement for members



Jan. 28, 1964 R. D. FOSTER 3,119,512 QUICK CLOSURE AND CONNECTINGARRANGEMENT FOR MEMBERS Filed May 31. 1960 I ma N I Robert 0. Far few IIN V EN TOR.

BY%9/M United States Patent Ofilice 3,119,512 Patented Jan. 28, 19543,119,512 QUECK QLQSURE AND CQNNEQTENG ARRANGEMENT F01; MEMBERS Robert2). Foster, Harris County, Tex. (3115 Bntfaio Erive, Houston 119, Tex.)Fiied May 31, teen, Ser. No. 32,679 11 Ciaims. (Cl. 220-34) The presentinvention relates to a quick opening closure arrangement for vessels andtubular members which includes a quick connect and disconnectarrangement.

In certain situations it is desirable to provide a removable flange orclosure on a tubular member, which serves to close off the end of themember, but which may be readily removed for access to the member. Itcan be appreciated that where excessive pressures are encountered withinthe tubular member, it may be diflicult to provide a construction whichwill serve to positively seal off the tubular member to prevent theleakage therefrom on the one hand, while providing a construction whichcan be readily removed from the tubular member for access thereinto.

Various constructions have been heretofore suggested and are presentlyemployed for accomplishing this function. However, most of suchconstructions employ a number of moving parts which may greatly increasethe cost of manufacture and which also increases the chiliculty ofreseating the flange in position on the tubular member from time totime. The present invention overcomes the above and other problemspresently encountered in closure arrangements in that it provides aconstruction which employs a minimum number of moving parts and wmch canbe easily and more economically manufactured. Another object of thepresent invention is to provide a quick coupling arrangement which maybe used on a closure, or for connecting members together.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anarrangement whereby members may be quickly and easily positioned in apredetermined relation or disconnected from each other as desired.

Yet a :further object of the present invention is to provide a closurearrangement for an opening in a vessel or for an opening in a tubularmember which incorporates means for quickly and easily locking theclosure in position over the opening.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from a consideration of the following description anddrawings wherein:

,, PEG. 1 is a side elevation of the present invention illustrating itmounted on the end of a tubular member;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the whole device and showing theparts in disconnected relationship to more clearly illustrate theconstruction and arrangement thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view on the line 33 of FIG. 1 to show the manner ofsupporting the cover on the body; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the present inventionemployed in connecting tubular members in end to end relation.

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein theinvention is illustrated generally by the numeral S and is shown asincluding a body 6 which is provided with hook means on the end thereof,such hook means being designated generally by the numeral 7. Where theinvention is to be used on a closure, a cover as illustrated generallyat 8 is provided with a hook means on and edge thereof, such hook meansbeing illustrated generally by the numeral 9, and the hook means 7 ofthe body 6 and the hook means 9 of the cover 8 are adapted to engage thecover 3 and the body 6 for locking the cover in position on the body 6,as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Suitable means as illustrated at 12 are provided for shifting the coverlaterally of the body 6 as illustrated in dotted line at 13. Thereafterthe cover 8 may be swung to the position illustrated in FIG. 2 of thedrawings for access to the opening 15 in the tubular member 16 on whichthe invention is mounted.

In order to mount the cover 8 adjacent the body 6 and swingably supportthe cover 8 for engagement with the body 6', or away from the body 6 foraccess to the opening 15 suitable means as illustrated generally by thenumeral 1-8 are provided which cooperate to position the cover 8adjacent the end of the body 6, and also accommodate swinging movementof the cover 8 towards and away from the body 6 as above described, andas will be more fully described hereinafter.

It will be noted that the body 6 of the device is adapted to be securedadjacent the opening 15 of the tubular member 16, and may be retained insuch position by any suitable means such as by welding or the like. Thehook means 7 on the loody 6 is formed by the overhanging portion 20which extends circumferentially about the end 21 of the body 6. It willbe noted that the circumferential extent of the overhanging portion 26is not greater than one-half of the total circumference of the end 21,as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A groove means 22is formed in the overhanging portion 20 between the end 21 of the body 6and the end 23 of the overhanging portion 20, as illustrated incross-section of FIG. 2 of the drawings. The groove may assume theconfiguration wherein one side is defined by the surface 24 of the end21 of the body 6, the annular innermost surface 25, and the oppositeside surface 26 which may be tapered as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thegroove 22 extends throughout the peripheral extent of the overhangingportion 24 and forms a female receiving member for receiving a maleportion of the cover 8 as will be more fully described.

It will be noted that the remainder of the circumference of the end 21of the body 6 is provided with a laterally or radially projectingshoulder or projection or flange 28. It will be noted that the radiallyprojecting flange 28 is provided with outer annular edge 29, a taperingsurface 39, and is further defined by the surface 24 of the end 21 ofthe body 6,

Hook means 9 on the cover 8 is formed in a manner similar to thatpreviously described with regard to the body 6 and includes theoverhanging portion 35 which extends circumferentially of the end 36 ofthe cover 8 for a distance not more than one-half of the totalcircumference of the annular cover 8. The circumferential extent of theoverhanging portion 35 of the dome or cover 8 is more clearlyillustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings and it will be seen that theoverhang 35 is similar to overhang Zti. A groove 37 is provided in theoverhanging portion 35 which is defined by the surface 38 on the end 36of the groove, the surface 39, and the surface 43'. It will be notedthat the groove 37 is adapted to conform with the shape of the radialflange 28 on body 6, and similarly groove 22 in overhanging portion 2%or" body 6 is adapted to conform with the radially projecting shoulderor flange 44 on the cover 8 which extends the remainder of thecircumference of the cover 8 from the overhanging portion 35.

From the above description it can be seen that the body 6 is providedwith a male and female interengaging portion thereon, and similarly thecover or closure 3 is also provided with a male and female portion. Themale portion on the cover 8 is adapted to be interfitted in the femaleportion of the body 6, and the male portion of the body 6 is adapted tobe interfitted in the femaleportion of the cover 8. In efiect the groove22 and the groove 37 in the body 6 and cover 8 respectively, form thefemale receiving portions, and the annular iiange 28 and annular flangeit) on the body 6 and cover 8 respectively, form the male portions ofthe connection.

In order to position the cover 8 on the body 6, it may be swung into thedotted line position illustrated at 13 in FIG. 1 by manually moving thelid by means of the support means 18. When the cover 8 is in theposition illustrated in dotted line in H6. 1, the means 12 may then bemoved so that the cover 8 is moved laterally relative to the body 6whereupon the male portion of the cover 8 engages in the female portionof the body 6, and simultaneously the male portion of the body 6interengages with the female portion of the cover 8.

The means 18 includes bracket means 58 secured on the top of the cover 8and bracket means 51 secured on the body 6. Links 52 are pivotallysecured at their inner ends to the bracket by means of the pivot pin 53and are secured at their outer ends to the means 12 which moves thecover 8 laterally to seat it on the body 6. The means 12 includes thehandle 69 which is provided with an ofi set portion 61 which enables thehandle 60 to be pivotally secured to each of the bracket means 51 bymeans of the pivot pin 62. The portion 63 of the end of the handle meansprojects beyond the bracket means 51 so that the pivot pin 64 securedtherethrough pivotally connects the handle means to each of the links52.

When the cover 8 is moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 of thedrawings to engage the end 21 of the body 6, it will assume the positionshown at 13 in dotted line of FIG. 1 as previously noted. Similarly, theposition of the handle and connecting link 52 between the bracket means50 on the lid 8 and the bracket means 51 on the body 6 are alsoillustrated in dotted line in FIG. 1. When the handle 69 is rotatedabout the bracket 51 counterclockwise to the full line positionillustrated in FIG. 1 the cover 8 will be shifted laterally of the bodyso that the radial projecting flange 45 on the lid 8 interfits in thegroove 22 ofthe overhanging portion 29 on body 6. Similarly, the radialprojecting flange 23 on body 6 is guided into groove 37 of cover 8.

In order to prevent leakage between the cover and the body suitable sealmeans as illustrated generally at 70 may be provided for sealing betweenthe cover 8 and the body 6 when they are engaged. As shown in FIG. 2 ofthe drawings the seal means 75) is positioned in the surface 24 of theend 21 of body 6 and is adapted to engage the annular surface 33 on theend 36 of the cover 8 when it is positioned adjacent the body 6.

In FIG. 4 the present invention is shown in the form for connecting theends of adjacent tubular members 70a, 70b in abutting relation. Theconstruction of the connection means will be the same as that previouslydescribed except the bracket means 59, 51 as well as the means 12 and 13will be eliminated. On each of the overhanging portions of adjacenttubular members, which overhanging portions are designated as 20a and35a re :spectively, there will be provided upstanding lugs 71 :and 72. Abolt '73 may be extended through the up- :standing lugs 71, 72 and a notsecured thereon whereby :the male and female portions of the adjacenttubular members 73a and 7%!) may be fitted together for sealing oifbetween the adjacent tubular members. Seal means may be provided in amanner as previously described with regard to FIG. 2 and shown generallyat 70. Other forms of connecting members 79:: and Yilb together may beutilized.

This present invention also has application for use as a breech block orin other situations where a cap must be quickly removable and yetsupport considerable loads when in place.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated wherein theoverhanging hook means '7 and Q extend continuously substantially 1 halfthe circumference of the body and cap respectively; howcver,'in somecircumstances the circumferential extent may be much less.

Broadly the present invention relates to an arrangement whereby membersmay be positioned relatively to each other quickly and easily, and moreparticularly to a means whereby members including a cover for an openingmay be retained in position under pressure.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure for closing off an opening including an annular bodyadapted to be secured adjacent the opening, an overhanging portion onthe end of said body extending substantially one-half of thecircumference of said body, there being a groove in said overhangingportion between theend of said body and the end of said portion, alateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end ofsaid body, an annular cover for closing off the end of said body, anoverhanging portion on the end of said cover extending substantiallyone-half of the circumference of said cover, there being a groove insaid portion between the end of said cover and the end of said portion,a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end ofsaid cover, means for pivotally supporting said cover adjacent the endof said body whereby said cover may be disengaged from said body andswung away from the end of said body, and rotatable means rotatablyconnected on said pivotal support means for moving said cover laterallyrelative to the end of said body and towards said rotatable means to aclosed position whereby said lateral projection on said body and covermay be engaged in said groove in said overhanging portion on said coverand body respectively to position said cover in closed position underpressure on said body.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 including seal means between saidcover and said body for sealing off therebetween when said cover is inclosed position on said body.

3. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said pivotal support meansincludes upstanding bracket means on said cover and said body, and linkmeans extending between and pivotally connected to said bracket meansand said means for moving said cover laterally.

4. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said means for moving saidcover laterally includes handle means having an offset portion pivotallymounted on said bracket means on said body and a projected portionpivotally connected to said link means whereby said cover may be movedlaterally of said body upon movement of said handle about said bracketmeans.

5. A closure for an opening in a member including an annular bodyadapted to be secured to the member, circumferentially extending hookmeans integrally formed on the end of said body and disposed on not morethan one-half the total circumferential extent of the end of said body,a radially projecting shoulder on the end of said body extending theremainder of the circumference, an annular cover, means swingablysupporting said cover on said body whereby it may be moved over theopening to close it off and away from the opening for access thereto,circumferentially extending hook means integrally formed on said coverand disposed on not more than one-half the total circumferential extentof the edge of said cover, a radially projecting shoulder on said coverextending the remainder of circumferential extent of the edge of saidcover, said hook means on said body and cover adapted to engage saidradial shoulder on said cover and body when said cover is moved toengagement with said body, and means rotatably mounted on said body andconnected to said cover for moving said cover laterally of said body andtowards said rotatable means to a closed position to interiit said hookmeans and shoulders on said cover and body to thereby lock said cover inclosed position under pressure on said body.

6. The structure recited in claim 5 including seal means between saidcover and body when said hook means and shoulders are interfitted forsealing off therebetween.

7. The structure recited in claim 5 wherein said means swingablysupporting said cover on said body includes upstanding bracket means onsaid cover and said body, and link means pivotally connected to saidbracket means and to said means for moving said cover laterally of saidbody.

8. The structure recited in claim 7 wherein said means for moving saidcover includes handle means having an offset portion pivotal lysupported by said bracket means on said body and a projected portionpivotally connected so said link means whereby movement of said handlemeans about said bracket means moves said cover laterally of said body.

9. A closure for closing off an opening including an annular bodyadapted to be secured adjacent the opening, an overhanging section onthe end of said body extending for a portion of the circumference ofsaid body, there being a groove in said overhanging section between theend of said body and the end of said portion, a lateral projection onthe remainder of the circumference of the end of said body, an annularcover for closing off the end of said body, an overhanging section onthe end of said cover extending for a portion of the circumference ofsaid cover, there being a groove in said section between the end of saidcover and the end of said section, a lateral projection on the remainderof the circumference of the end of said cover, means for pivotallysupporting said cover adjacent the end of said body whereby said covermay be disengaged from said body and swung away from the end of saidbody, and rotatable means rotatably connected on said pivotal supportmeans for moving said cover laterally relative to the end of said bodyand towards said rotatable means to a closed position and for lockingsaid cover in such closed position wherein said lateral projection onsaid body and cover are engaged in said groove in said overhangingsection on said cover and body respectively.

10. A closure for closing off an opening including an annular bodyadapted to be secured adjacent the opening, an overhanging portion onthe end of said body extending substantially one-half of thecircumference of said body, there being a groove in said overhangingportion between {the end of said body and the end of said portion, alateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end ofsaid body, an annular cover for closing oil? the end of said body, anoverhanging portion on the end of said cover extending substantiallyone-half of the circumference of said cover, there being a groove insaid portion between the end of said cover and the end of said portion,a lateral projection on the remainder of the circumference of the end ofsaid cover, means for supporting said cover on said body for pivotingtoward and away from and sliding movement with respect to said body,seal means between said body and said cover, and co-acting surfacesformed on said groove in the overhanging portion on said cover and saidprojection on the end of said body and formed on said groove in saidoverhanging portion on said body and said projection on said cover, saidsurfaces extending circurnferentially of said cover and body andcooperating to urge said cover inwardly towards said body as said coverslides into the closed position for placing said seal means underpressure between said body and said cover while causing a minimum ofwear on said seal means.

11. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said co-acting surfacesare laterally and inwardly tapered surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS863,001 Seebeck Aug. 13, 1907 1,425,814 Valerius Aug. 15, 1922 2,338,477Wolters Jan. 4, 1944 2,780,384 Stratton et a1 Feb. 5, 1957

1. A CLOSURE FOR CLOSING OFF AN OPENING INCLUDING AN ANNULAR BODY ADAPTED TO BE SECURED ADJACENT THE OPENING, AN OVERHANGING PORTION ON THE END OF SAID BODY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY ONE-HALF OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID BODY, THERE BEING A GROOVE IN SAID OVERHANGING PORTION BETWEEN THE END OF SAID BODY AND THE END OF SAID PORTION, A LATERAL PROJECTION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE END OF SAID BODY, AN ANNULAR COVER FOR CLOSING OFF THE END OF SAID BODY, AN OVERHANGING PORTION ON THE END OF SAID COVER EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY ONE-HALF OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID COVER, THERE BEING A GROOVE IN SAID PORTION BETWEEN THE END OF SAID COVER AND THE END OF SAID PORTION, A LATERAL PROJECTION ON THE REMAINDER OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE END OF SAID COVER, MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID COVER ADJACENT THE END OF SAID BODY WHEREBY SAID COVER MAY BE DISENGAGED FROM SAID BODY AND SWUNG AWAY FROM THE END OF SAID BODY, AND ROTATABLE MEANS ROTATABLY CONNECTED ON SAID PIVOTAL SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOVING SAID COVER LATERALLY RELATIVE TO THE END OF SAID BODY AND TOWARDS SAID ROTATABLE MEANS TO A CLOSED POSITION WHEREBY SAID LATERAL PROJECTION ON SAID BODY AND COVER MAY BE ENGAGED IN SAID GROOVE IN SAID OVERHANGING PORTION ON SAID COVER AND BODY RESPECTIVELY TO POSITION SAID COVER IN CLOSED POSITION UNDER PRESSURE ON SAID BODY. 